The paring of Clinton and Obama is a symbolic one for the White House, after Clinton critiqued Obama's jobs plan earlier this week by arguing tax increases should wait until after the economy recovers.
"It's okay with me. I'll pay more. But it won't solve the problem," the former president said, arguing that the government shouldn't raise taxes — or pursue spending cuts — "until we get this economy off the ground."
After the swell afternoon of golf, President Obama went over to the annual gathering of the Congressional Black Caucus and spoke to those present at the soiree. In full-throated get out the base mode, Obama raised his voice in commanding the people there to "stop whining" and "take off your bedroom slippers" to get him re-elected.
Here is the President Obama addressing the Congressional Black Caucus at a Washington, D.C. soiree:
Here's the thing - Obama is sinking like a rock in the polls. The members of the Congressional Black Caucus are about the only block of voters left that still support Obama with loyalty. Some may criticize him for not being liberal enough or for not working to help the black community but they will vote for him in 2012. Who else would they support?
Some present, though, were rightfully insulted by the attitude and tone of the President in his remarks. For Obama to go there and arrogantly lecture the likes of Rep John Lewis, a civil rights movement legend, for example, and imply it is he, Obama doing the tough lifting for black people is shocking. And sad. It is further proof of the tone deaf and bubble dwelling Barack Obama.
President Obama won accolades from supporters praising his speech to the Congressional Black Caucus Saturday night, but not everyone is convinced the president is invested in his recommitment to fighting Republicans and helping minority communities.
"I don't think that the president is leading from a place of compassion. I think he's leading from a place of fear right now. I don't really understand what is going on," said Erik Todd Dellums, a blog writer and actor who is the son of former Rep. Ron Dellums, D-Calif., a 13-term black lawmaker who helped pass landmark sanctions to push for an end to South African apartheid.
"The president is in a unique place and I think he's failing himself truly. And I think, race has something to do with this," said Dellums.
Obama's speech to the CBC's Annual Phoenix Awards dinner Saturday night issued a clarion call for blacks who have complained he's not done enough to help African Americans.
Encouraging the CBC and its supporters to help him pass his latest jobs bill, the president said despite the complaints, he has shepherded many laws that have helped blacks, including Wall Street reforms that offer consumer financial protections; a settlement for black farmers that has been decades in the works; new projects for public housing; expanded health care coverage and more affordable college loans.
He then urged the audience to follow him into the next battle.
"I expect all of you to march with me and press on. Take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes. Shake it off. Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying. We are going to press on. We've got work to do, CBC," he said.
The speech, heavy on references to civil rights marches and delivered with a sermon-style, southern affect of dropped 'g's -- as in "complainin'," drew rousing applause and support from the audience.
Barack Obama never delivered on his pledge to lead as a post-partisan president. He never delivered on his pledge to lead as a post-racial president, either. He remains the community organizer in chief and now is desperate enough to go into race baiting politics.
Americans deserve better.
1 comment:
I pretty much have quit blogging because figuring out a title for a post escapes me every time. I love this one!!
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